Council / Planning approval for new water treatment works
A NEW water treatment facility in Northmavine has moved a step closer after receiving planning permission.
An application from Scottish Water for replacement Eela Water works – which could cost more than £45 million – was approved by Shetland Islands Council’s (SIC) planning committee on Wednesday.
It went in front of councillors because of an objection from the Northmaven Community Council.
Members of the community council had been concerned about the impact construction traffic could have on the single track road there.
The community council had suggested that the road from the Ollaberry/Hillswick junction to Eela Water could be made double width.
But the SIC’s planning service felt this would not be a reasonable requirement to place on the developer.
The existing Eela Water facility was built in 1978, and it can supply up to 4.3 millions of litres of water per day (Ml/d) to about 5,400 people.
It also serves Sullom Voe Terminal which accounts for 60 per cent of the overall demand.
A new works has been proposed by Scottish Water near to the existing site which would provide greater capacity and a “long-term low carbon solution”.
The SIC’s planning service recommended that the application be approved with conditions.
It said the benefits of the scheme are considered to outweigh the visual and landscape harm identified.
During discussion at Wednesday’s meeting, Shetland North councillor Andrea Manson asked whether the developer could be made to install more passing places on the single track road to Eela Water.
However, head of planning Iain McDiarmid warned Manson that the road is not within the site boundary and therefore outwith Scottish Water’s control – meaning it may be unachievable.
He also noted that the council’s road service was satisfied by the proposed plans.
The meeting heard that the construction period is estimated at 18 months, and that there would be no more than 10 HGV movements a day.
Manson proposed that the application be approved, noting that Scottish Water view it as an “essential” development.
Meanwhile planning permission in principle has been granted to a development of three houses in South Nesting.
The application went in front of councillors on the SIC’s planning committee on Wednesday due to an objection from the local community council.
The objection centred around concerns over water supply in the area and the impact more housing could have on this. The meeting heard however that Scottish Water had not received any complaints from local residents, and that the organisation was satisfied with the application.
The proposal is for three houses on a 0.5 hectare site in Skellister.
The plans had already been decreased from four detached houses to three following archaeological concern over the proximity to a broch.
A report presented to councillors said the Nesting and Lunnasting Community Council did not want to see further housing development the Nesting area until the water supply was looked at.
It said Brettabister residents in the North Nesting area are often without water in the early morning due to demand in South Nesting.
Scottish Water said it had not received any complaints and added that any concerns should be raised with its customer service department.
The report added: “The community council have been advised of this update but have not responded at this time.”
Lerwick councillor Cecil Smith, who proposed the application be approved, said he found it confusing that the community council did not object to the original plans for four houses, but did so for three.
“I think as a planning committee we need to try and assist people to get as many houses in Shetland as we possibly can,” he said.
“We have to bear in mind that is an application in principle, so it may change as we go forward.”
Vice-chair Davie Sandison added that perhaps the best way of raising concerns over water pressure is to contact Scottish Water – “rather than trying to stop a development from happening”.
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